The first part of a saga set against a history of 7000 years of struggles of gods and kings and men. Long ago, the evil god Torak sought dominion and drove men and gods to war. Belgarath the Sorcerer led a quest to reclaim the Orb of Aldur - but so long as it lay at Riva, men would be safe.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Review

Long ago, the evil God Torak fought a war to obtain an object of immense power - the Orb of Aldur. But Torak was defeated and the Orb reclaimed by Belgarath the sorcerer. Garion, a young farm lad, loves the story when he first hears it from the old storyteller. But it has nothing to do with him. Or does it? For the stories also tell of a prophecy that must be fulfilled - a destiny handed down through the generations. And Torak is stirring again . . .
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.

From the Publisher

There is a television commercial for potato chips that challenges "Bet you can't eat just one." A similar challenge could easily be made for the books that are part of the Belgariad series: "Bet you can't read just one." When I read Pawn of Prophecy, I couldn't stop and continued right on through the other four books of the Belgariad. I was then quite sad that I finished the series. It felt like saying good-bye to a bunch of great friends...and after all we had been through together that was hard. --Tim Kochuba, General Manager
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.

Most helpful customer reviews

The book follows Garion as he grows up on a farm in the kingdom of Sendaria, where his Aunt Pol manages the kitchen. The first few chapters cover his life up to the age of around 14, which is when the main story begins. At that time he is just a normal farmboy, and knows little of the world. Even a trip to the closest village is an adventure. But suddenly he has to follow his Aunt as she and Wolf, the storyteller, leave on a quest to find something which has been stolen. As the story progresses, he begins to suspect that his Aunt and Wolf may be different from what he has known them to be his whole life.This is just the start of a great series of five books known as 'the Belgariad', later followed by another five in 'the Malloreon'. The story is the classic fight between the Evil which seeks to rule the world, and the Good which wants to save it, but what really makes the book so great is the characters. They are all very distinct from each other, with their own personality and desires. Eddings manages to keep them all separate, so that they are not mixed together in a faceless group. Instead they each have their part to play in the quest to save the world.I have read the entire series at least 20 times by now, and it remains my favorite fantasy. It is lighter than 'The Wheel of Time' series by Robert Jordan, which makes it suitable for younger readers as well, but it is great for anyone from around 12 to 112. I think many, like me, read this series as their first fantasy, and it is a great start to get interested in the world of magic and swordfights. By now Harry Potter is probably a more common start, but this series is still required reading for fantasy lovers.

First of all, if you go into this book with a bunch of arrogant predispositions and an elitist literary critic attitude, you definitely won't enjoy it. Something like Martin's Song of Ice and Fire is for you. Really, if this is your attitude, you probably lead a pretty depressed life. Anyway, some people complain that he thinks he is original but only uses the same formula as is typical for fantasy. He quite openly admits to using a formula in The Rivan Codex (where you will find that he did, in fact, put a lot of work into the belgariad). Personally, I believe that it's not the initial framework that defines a good author, it's what he does with it. David Eddings does an excellent job with it.Now some readers choose to complain that this series is not realistic enough. First of all, the name of this genre is Fantasy, not reality. Look it up. The author is much freer to do things with mythical creatures, magic, prophecies, et cetera, while remaining "in bounds." The author who chooses to minimize such things and focus on politics and other "realistic things" isn't as original as he thinks he is. He is either medieval, or shouldn't be trying to write under the fantasy title. Enough of that.Should you choose to have an open mind, this book contains a lot of humor, despair, mystery, and some rather strange, but humorous romances. It is a great coming-of-age story and is not in the least bit confusing. The characters are all clearly defined, and many of them play off of each other very well. Anyway, this can be one of the best series you will ever read if you allow yourself to enjoy it. Whether you do or not is up to you.

The Belgariad and The Malloreon have been my lifelong friends. Since reading them for the first time over a decade ago to reading them for the 10th time this summer, I find that the wit and the wonderful realtionships between the characters are still as strong. Not to mention the strong, female characters which are lacking in many other fantasy series. Anyone who enjoyed the recent Harry Potter series would do well do read these. As in introduction into fantasy, they are tops. Several laughs out loud are guaranteed. I suggest reading them aloud with someone you love since the dialogue flows better if spoken.

This book is a really good starter to the series. While many people complain about all the unanswered questions, I'm glad that they are left that way. This creates the excitement to read the next books. Also, I really love how each character has their own personality and history. This book only gets four stars though because there were many repetitive lines, and once in a while, the book would get dull for a chapter or two. However, Pawn of Prophecy is a great book altogether.

I really like the Eddings books. I've picked them up about 6 years ago and have read the entire series about once a year.After re-reading Jordan's WOT and reading for the first time Goodkind's SOT, I have to say that if you are die-hard fans of either book, you might not like Eddings. The Eddings' (D and L let's give credit where its due) books are fun; there aren't many grueling plot twists, you don't get the sadistic touch of either RJ or TG, and you don't see much of the evil minds of the malevolent characters. The protagonists are all a pretty happy group and you have a hard time believing that anyone is going to be hurt or killed, much less brutally raped or tortured like SOT and WOT.The key is, if you're looking for something heavy, slow, dark, with detailed descriptions of every rivulet in a dead tree branch, don't read Eddings. It would be like craving bread pudding and getting whip cream. If you ARE looking for fun, light-hearted, fast moving fantasy with lots of laughs, then buy this book.I'd advise folks to be careful of people who are really abusive of these books, because after reading their comments I think most of them are bitter RJ and TG readers. Much of what they say is true, but unless you are in the mood to slog through 10000 pages of misery, you won't care if some of the jokes a little corny!